The Closing of American Library Schools: Problems and Opportunities

During the last decade, the library profession has been confronted by a serious problem. More than 15 accredited graduate library schools in the United States have closed, including distinguished programs at the University of Chicago, the University of Southern California, and Columbia University. The closing of these schools raised critical issues about the future of the library profession, the place of library schools in higher education, and the role of libraries in society.

This book explores the causes and consequences of the recent closures of American library schools at a time when various other professional schools have expanded. The authors consider the theory that library schools have closed because of poor marketing and management and the theory that schools have closed because insufficient attention has been paid to the intellectual history and theoretical foundations of librarianship, leaving library school leaders with no guiding principle to assist in reforming the curriculum. The book places library schools in an historical context and discusses opportunities to reform library education.

LARRY J. OSTLER is Assistant University Librarian for Administrative Services at the Harold B. Lee Library of Brigham Young University.

THERRIN C. DAHLIN is head of the Documents and Maps Department of the Harold B. Lee Library at Brigham Young University.

J. D. WILLARDSON is Assistant to the Dean of the College of Education at Brigham Young University.